In Africa, Nigeria has one of the least powerful passports, ranking higher than only the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eritrea, Sudan, and Libya, which are facing extreme violence.
A recent report by Henley and Partners, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranked Nigeria 90th. Nigeria shares this ranking with South Sudan, allowing passport holders access to only 46 destinations without a visa.
In contrast, Seychelles has the most powerful African passport, ranked 24th with access to 155 countries. Mauritius follows at 29th place with access to 148 countries, while South African passport holders can visit 106 countries without a visa, placing South Africa at 51st in Africa.
In a recent interview, Steven Ndukwu, travel influencer and YouTube content creator, addressed the intricacies of traveling with a Nigerian passport amid low global rankings and visa bans.
Navigating stereotypes and Visa bans
Steven noted the stereotypes Nigerians often face when presenting their passports to immigration officers. “Every frequent traveler reading this would really understand that the moment you bring out your Nigerian passport to an immigration officer, we are stereotyped as fraudulent people and people that just create disaster,” he said.
He went on to cite examples of countries that were once visa-free for Nigerians but have since imposed restrictions, saying, “Dubai and Seychelles were once a visa-free destination for Nigerians but it’s no more.”
Ndukwu also shared an example of the extensive scrutiny he faced in a country, where immigration officers questioned him extensively about his purpose of visit, finances, and even requested proof of his bank account.
While acknowledging the need for security as the reason for this, he said that this generalisation negatively affects all Nigerians and called for a more targeted approach to handling individuals responsible for criminal activities.
“Nigerians are being deported everyday, but you also have to know that there are good Nigerians and there are bad Nigerians, but the problem is that when a bad Nigerian goes into a country and does something, they ban the over 200 million people in the country instead of tackling the people that caused that atrocity,” he said. “This calls for a more targeted approach by distinguishing between individual wrongdoers and the broader population when imposing restrictions.”
Strategies for Nigerian travelers
When asked about advice for fellow Nigerians to navigate visa bans, Ndukwu outlined a strategic approach by categorising countries into three tiers: easy-to-access, medium-level, and difficult.
According to the travel expert, easier destinations for Nigerians include Ghana, Cape Verde, Maldives, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Togo, Senegal, etc; Turkey, Qatar, South Africa fall in the medium level tier while Japan, UK, USA, Schengen countries, are under the difficult to access tier.
“Build a travel history by plucking low-hanging-fruits; visiting countries like Kenya and Ghana, before attempting to travel to countries with stricter visa requirements,” he said.
He also highlighted that visa officers typically look for strong ties to Nigeria such as financial stability, and the purpose of the visit. To increase the chances of visa approval, he advised travelers to demonstrate these factors through their travel history, employment, family ties, and financial stability.
Dealing with Visa bans
In response to inquiries about countries that are less accommodating to Nigerian passport holders, the travel expert noted that while first-world countries like Canada, the United States, and the UK generally have smoother visa processes, there are exceptions. He mentioned that during one of his trips to another country, he was once informed on arrival that Nigerians were not accepted, but he believed it was more about preventing potential criminal activities.
In addition, he laid emphasis on the need for Nigerians to follow the correct visa procedures and not misuse tourist visas for long-term stays or unlawful activities, noting that immigration officers are primarily concerned with safeguarding their countries and ensuring travelers do not overstay or engage in illegal activities.
The role of the Nigerian Government
Regarding the Nigerian government’s role in facilitating seamless travel for its citizens, the Youtuber suggested emulating Seychelles’ approach of fostering mutual agreements with other countries. This would involve negotiations for visa waivers in exchange for similar privileges for Seychellois citizens, promoting easier travel opportunities.
In addition, Ndukwu called for the Nigerian government’s active involvement in diplomatic relations. “When Nigerians face bans or restrictions, the government should engage in dialogue to address concerns and find solutions,” the Youtuber said.
He further recommended, “The Nigerian government should do better because the more a country does better economically, politically, then the more appealing we appear to the world.”
